Mr President, Secretary General, colleagues. I have the honor to speak on behalf of Western European states. And on behalf of this group, I wish to offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Thailand on the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej earlier this month. His Majesty guided the kingdom of Thailand with dignity and dedication and vision throughout his remarkable 70 years on the throne.

He was the longest serving monarch in the world of the time of his passing. Standing in this chamber, it is an astonishing to think that His Majesty ascended to the throne when the United Nations was only a year old, with Thailand becoming 55th member state. He was the embodiment of the post-war generation with his hopes and dreams of global peace, development, and universal human rights. From this same vision, the charter of the United Nations was born. And in this way, the challenges faced by His Majesty during his long reign echoed those that faced all member states and this organization.

It is difficult to draw highlights from such a long and rich history of service to the Thai people, but I will make three observations. First, His Majesty will be remembered for serving the needs of his people. His Majesty spent years of his reign touring Thailand’s agricultural provinces, meeting local people, visiting rural projects, and asking local leaders about the challenges to their lives.

His Majesty led development programs in the poorest parts of the country and was a keen supporter of advanced agriculture and sustainable development. The mark of his work can be seen across Thailand today. His Majesty was also a talented musician and passion of the arts. He was an accomplished painter, photographer, composer and saxophonist. For many years, His Majesty broadcast live music concerts for his people, performing with a jazz group in studios of the royal radio station. And finally, His Majesty will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to the Thai people. He was greatly respected at home and around the globe for his dedication to his people and government. He was a welcome symbol of stability for his nation through both good and more challenging times. Mr President, His Majesty leaves a lasting legacy and a true mark on history. We join the people of Thailand in mourning his passing. Thank you.